UCC progress: Two goals in as many minutes eased favourites UCC into the quarter-finals of the Collingwood Cup inter-varsity tournament at Coleraine yesterday at the expense of Magee.
The holders faced stiff resistance from a side coached by former Derry City midfielder Marty McCann but once Aidan O'Mahoney found the target after 62 minutes Cork took control.
Eoin Ryan added a second soon after to line up a clash against Limerick this afternoon.
Derek Treston helped himself to a hat-trick as DIT cruised to a 6-1 success against Maynooth. Ross Zamra (2) and Craig Cronin were also on target while Alan Bohan replied for Maynooth.
Diarmuid Byrne also cracked in a treble as Trinity beat DCU 4-0 to set up a last eight clash against UUJ. Darren Dempsey also scored from the spot. A 71st minute strike from Warner Mullan was enough to hand Jordanstown victory over NUI Galway.
The Royal College of Surgeons were leading UCD thanks to David Last's own goal and when they were awarded a second half penalty they looked to be heading into the last eight but Cormac O'Connor failed to convert and Conor Sammon levelled before John Brophy hit the winner 15 minutes from time.
Ireland strike early
A goal in each half helped the Republic of Ireland to a 2-0 victory over Israel yesterday in the first of two international friendly matches in The Municipal Stadium, Beit She'an, beside the Jordan River.
Although Israel dominated the early exchanges the Republic made the breakthrough on 15 minutes. A Michael Collins shot from 25 yards hit the upright and Craig Duggan reacted quickest to slot the ball home.
Urged on by the large home crowd, Israel almost equalised straight away. Goalkeeper Kieron Thorpe turned a shot behind for a corner and from the resulting kick he parried a strike from the edge of the box. The Israeli striker hit the post from the rebound five yards out.
Ireland couldn't have wished for a better start to the second half. Three minutes in they went 2-0 up. The ball broke to Conor McCormack 20 yards out, and his strike lobbed over the Israeli keeper.
The Republic had chances to extend their lead with Ian Daly heading wide while Craig Duggan had a good header saved.
Republic of Ireland manager Vincent Butler was very happy with his team's performance. "We played very well and it was good performance overall. We got the goals at crucial times, the first was slightly against the run of play and the second at the start of the second half damaged Israel."
The Republic of Ireland face their Israeli counterparts again on Wednesday (4.0).
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Kieron Thorp; Mark Nolan (81 mins), Daniel Langan (51 mins), Paul Honohan, David Joyce, James O'Brien, Dean Marshall (75 mins), Conor McCormack (81 mins), Ian Daly (71 mins), Craig Duggan, Michael Collins (51 mins) Subs: Niall McArdle (51 mins), Gareth Matthews (81 mins), Joe Collins (81 mins), James Doyle (75 mins), Kevin O'Brien, Shane O'Connor (51 mins), Kurtis Byrne (71 mins).
Nyatanga's debut
John Toshack is set to make 17-year-old Lewin Nyatanga Wales' youngest ever full international. The Wales chief, committed to a youth policy with the national squad, has confirmed the Derby defender will play against Paraguay in tomorrow's friendly at the Millennium Stadium.
Nyatanga has got to shake off a damaged toe first. But as long as he does so, at 17 years 195 days the Burton-on-Trent-born youngster will take over from former Wolves defender Ryan Green as Wales' youngest full cap.
Green, now playing for Hereford, was 17 years and 226 days old when he made his debut against Malta in 1998 - and Ryan Giggs was next on 17 years and 321 days on his debut.
Perez leaves Madrid
Florentino Perez last night resigned as president of Real Madrid. The club immediately announced Fernando Martin would replace him, stepping up from his previous role as vice-president. Perez was less than two years into his second term as Real president, having been re-elected in July 2004. Since the 58-year-old Perez replaced Lorenzo Sanz in 2000, Real have won the Primera Liga title twice and the Champions League once. However, the club have not claimed any major silverware since winning the league in 2003 and look likely to finish this season empty-handed following a string of disappointing recent results.
Owen plans return
Newcastle striker Michael Owen is on course to play in the final month of the Premiership season if his rehabilitation from a foot injury continues to go smoothly. The 26-year-old striker fractured his fifth metatarsal bone in a match against Tottenham in December, hampering his England preparations ahead of the World Cup in Germany this summer. "When I was first injured it was said April was the time," said Owen. "The Chelsea game in March is a target I suppose but that is still three weeks away. I won't risk it for the sake of it. I'm still setting my sights on returning in April."
Del Horno ban cut
Chelsea defender Asier del Horno will serve only a one-game Champions League suspension after Uefa agreed to reduce the punishment following his foul on Barcelona's Lionel Messi. The 25-year-old Spanish left back was dismissed in the first leg of Chelsea's last-16 tie against Barcelona and Chelsea feared he would be banned for three matches.
